On February
12th 1886 James Stewart Lockhart proposed that a club be formed... "to
consist of members proposed and seconded in the way usual with other clubs
and with a subscription sufficient to cover the cost of balls and tea for
the ladies who like to see this form of sportÖ"

That
proposal was accepted and the Hong Kong Football Club came to be. Rugby,
naturally, was the first sport to be played by the Club with a game held
on February 16th 1886 between members of the civilian population hoping
to gain membership of the Club and the garrison of the British Army then
stationed in Hong Kong. That game was played on a pitch within the Happy
Valley racetrack on Hong Kong Island where the club is still located today.

From
these simple beginnings the Club has grown to become one of Hong Kongís
more famous clubs and a premier sporting institution within Asia. In addition
to rugby, the Club organises competitive soccer, hockey, squash and lawn
bowls and also provides a wide range of leisure, recreational and food and
beverage facilities. The Clubís Sportmanís Bar is a recognised focal point
for both residents and international visitors alike during the annual festival
of rugby in March which hosts both out own International 10-A-Side tournament
and of course the Hong Kong 7ís.

Club
has always played a key role in both the playing and organisation of rugby
in Hong Kong, with many of Hong Kongís leading professionals and business
persons having played for Club during their playing days. Historically,
rugby in the former territory revolved around the rivalry between Club,
the British Army and the Royal Navy, but with the reorganisation of rugby
at the conclusion of World War II the Royal Air Force and latterly the Royal
Hong Kong Police Force also became significant powers on the rugby scene.
Since the reunification of Hong Kong to China the Peoples Liberation Army
have started to close the gap left by the British forces with their Sportís
Institute now a regular member of the 1st division.

The
Hong Kong 7ís, was founded by, and indeed first played at the Club in 1976.
Not satisfied with having created one world class tournament, in 1986 Club
held the inaugural International 10-A-Side tournament which immediately
precedes the 7ís. The 10ís is organised and managed by Club Rugby section
members and hosts teams from , among others, Australia, the Cook Islands,
Fiji, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and China.

If you
wish to know more about the Rugby Section, the Club, tournaments or just
get in contact then send us and E-mail. Also you can visit the 10ís page
for more information on this yearís competition.